Foxwood dog owner handed three control orders following multiple dog attacks

A local dog owner who failed to control his three dogs has been given multiple control orders following several attacks by his pets on other dogs in the area

Ben Cairns (aged 32 of Foxwood Lane, York) owns three American Pocket Bullies, a cross breed between an American Staffordshire Terrier and an American Pit Bull Terrier, and appeared at York Magistrates on 15 January 2020.

On four occasions during 2019, Mr Cairn’s dogs escaped from his control in the area where he lives, and attacked three small cross breeds and a Labrador cross which needed veterinary treatment. The owners suffered considerable distress too.

All the control orders have the same conditions. These include ensuring that each dog is kept under proper control at all times; securing the property and boundary where they are kept to prevent them from escaping; wearing a muzzle and collar identifying the name and address of the owner; and keeping each dog on a fixed-length lead at all time when in a public place.

While Mr Cairns has since re-homed one of his dogs, he is still its owner and will remain responsible for ensuring that the current keepers abide by the control order. Any breaches of the order will be Mr Cairns’ responsibility and could result in a £1,000 fine and, potentially, the possibility of the dogs being removed from his care.

Cllr Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “We will not tolerate irresponsible dog owners who do not take sufficient care to ensure their dogs are not a danger to other dogs, or cause fear to residents.

“We welcome the order issued by York Magistrates and will monitor and enforce the conditions to ensure compliance.”

Another complaint about poor signage at Low Poppleton Lane bus gate

ANPR cameras still catching around unauthorised 200 drivers each month on the route. Fines are totalling around £100,000 a year.

Another resident has written to us complaining about poor signage on the approach to the bus gate on Low Poppleton Lane. It is an issue that won’t go away as the Council’s own figures reveal that 1809 drivers were fined for breaching the restrictions in the 10 months up to October 2019.

Some time ago, the Council agreed to review the effectiveness of the signage, They also said they would review the operational hours and consider relaxing the restrictions for moped riders (who are currently forced to use the more dangerous route via the busy A1237).

But the reviews haven’t happened leaving many motorists wondering whether the estimated £100,000 a year income that the cameras bring is too much of the Council to risk losing.

It is a similar picture on Coppergate where an average of 361 motorists a month are contravening the access restrictions there.

In total the Council is receiving around £1/3 million each year from  “spy cameras”

Many motorists feel that “first offenders” should receive a warning letter.

Advances in technology mean that some Sat Nav systems could also be programmed to warn of the restrictions.

We’ve asked the responsible Councillors to take another look at the issue.